I had hoped that packsaddle would return, correct his misstatements, and answer your questions. But that seems unlikely. So I will attempt to correct some of your misconceptions regarding Lutheranism.
J Edwards asks:
1. So you and other Lutherans would have us to believe that one passes from being a "dead man" to a "spiritual man" through baptismal regeneration—a work in which man is involved!
Man is purely passive in regeneration. The work of regeneration is performed by God alone when and where He pleases.
2. Yet I must ask, from whence does this desire to be baptized come in an adult?
Same as in an infant. The Holy Spirit works faith through the preaching of the gospel and the administration of the Sacraments.
3. How do the dead (Eph 2:1) inquire of life when they are dead (Rom 3:11) in sin, for they are, according to your philosophy, not yet regenerate until they are baptized.
Your premise is false and contrary to the Augsburg Confession, Art. V. Baptism is not the only means of grace.
4. The unregenerate man cannot even understand the will of God (1 Cor 2:14; Rom 8:5-8), thus how does he know to ask and how can he effectually ask for baptism to be regenerate?
If he regards baptism as his work or the work of the minister, he has denied the gospel. If he believes through the preaching of the Word, he is already regenerate.
5. How do these enemies of God (Col 1:21) first make peace with God (Rom 5:1-3) and then ask for baptism to be regenerate?
Romans 5:1-3 does not apply to them if they are trusting in their own work of baptism not Christ alone. If they are trusting in Christ alone, the Holy Spirit has already made them regenerate.
J Edwards states:
“Thus, in baptismal regeneration, Lutherans (1) make man able to do things he is not able to do, (2) diminish God's grace to a mere aid, and (3) make the death of Christ a mere premise that is conditional upon man's act of obedience (rather than the finished and effectual work of Christ alone; i.e. a man does the water baptism, i.e. works)). This is nothing less than a false Arminian gospel—which is no Gospel at all.”
(1)Man does nothing in baptism. (2)God does all in baptism. (3)The grace of Christ is offered to all in baptism. The grace of Christ is received in baptism when and where it pleases God.
“When we read Titus 3:5 it states, “not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” It is significant to note that at no point in this verse is human activity ever the subject or means of any verb. Humans are the objects of the main verb (HE saved US, according to HIS mercy, by the HOLY SPIRIT). Thus, a sound contrast is given here. It is not on the basis of our works, but it is on the basis of God’s mercy that any are saved.”
Correct.
“Furthermore, baptism is not seen as a parallel activity—since the washing is not given as an unconnected function from the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (the Greek here states, “through a washing” not “through a Lutheran baptismal bowl for washing.” The washing referred to is wholly spiritual. It is that of regeneration and renewing, regarded as one concept (Ezek 36:25; John 3:5; Eph 5:26; Jam 1:18; 1 Pet 1:23). If, truly, "all our righteousness is as filthy rags,” then even the greatest of our deeds (of which baptism is a part) cannot merit eternal life. Regeneration does not depend upon our own will, works, or obedience (John 1:12-13; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-10), but upon God's will and works and on Christ's perfect obedience in laying His life down for us (Eph 2:4-10; Tit 3:4-7; 2 Tim 1:8-9, etc.). “
Again, baptismal regeneration is purely passive on our part not dependent on our will, works, or obedience. And, yes, it is spiritual and renewing.
“Also, you stated, “Lutherans see Baptism as mostly "Gospel.”” What are the other part(s)? Please note that your argument about faith from Romans 10:17 is insufficient as it deals with faith and not regeneration. Regeneration is by the sole act of the Holy Spirit, and precedes faith. We are not regenerated because we believe, we believe because we are regenerated (2 Thess. 2.13; Acts 16:14). A person is passive in regeneration, but active in faith.”
Packsaddle was in error. The Baptism of Christ is all gospel; there are no other parts. Justification by faith and regeneration occur simultaneously. If regeneration precedes faith, we would be justified by the subsequent work of believing not faith alone or by an inner change rather than imputation. Lutheranism denies the synergism you propose.
“Your doctrines do not look at the whole of the Scripture as; (1) If baptism is necessary for salvation then why did Paul downplay/exclude it from the description of what is required for salvation? (1 Cor 1:14-17). (2) Christ was baptized (Matt 3:11-15). But, if baptism was for the remission of sins as Lutherans claim, then Christ "also" had his sins remitted, but if it was not to remit His sins, then the sins of men are not remitted by it. Christ had no sins to remit, thus man's sin cannot be remiited through baptism. (3) It is not essential to salvation. The thief was not baptized before his death (Luke 23:43). (4) OT saints, John, and many others in the New Testament, who were filled with the Spirit, were not baptized with water (Heb 11, Luke 1:15, Luke 1: 41, Luke 1:46, Luke 1:67; Luke 2:25-38), etc. Your doctrine in indefensible from Scripture!”
(1) Since salvation does not require the work of the preacher or the baptizer, your premise is false. Paul consistently excluded all human works from salvation. (2) Lutherans testify to the words of scripture: Acts. 22:16. As our substitute, Christ fulfilled all righteousness. He who knew no sin became sin for us. In our baptism, our sins are washed away. In His baptism, He becomes filthy with our sins. (3)Baptism is essential to salvation. Whoever rejects baptism can not be saved. ”Now here we have the words: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. To what else do they refer than to Baptism, that is, to the water comprehended in God's ordinance? Hence it follows that whoever rejects Baptism rejects the Word of God, faith; and Christ, who directs us thither and binds us to Baptism.” Large Catechism, BOC. (4) John 3:5.
